ABOUT ME
Capturing the spirit of a location through photography
Hello, I’m Tom. I’m a landscape and location photographer dividing time between California and the island of Hawaii.
I once went to the Kirkjufell waterfall in Iceland after sunrise, hoping to capture a special view of one of the world’s most photographed locations. I found myself elbow-to-elbow with many other photographers. I got my shot (it’s on this site), and I’m happy with it. But that one scene is all that many people will ever see of Iceland, because that single scene is so popular. We photograpers clamor to get there and capture our version like a trophy. There is so much more there, and many small scenes, taken together, give a much better sense of the spirit and feel of the country.
So, here I share scenes from around the world that you may have seen, along with others I’m confident you have not. It’s what ‘location’ photography is about. I enjoy seeking out spots where there is simple beauty that tell you something about a place that you would not otherwise know. Pastures in Hawaii that look like Ireland, or waterfalls in France that look like Tahiti. Hopefully you will find some surprises here that make you curious to know more, and encourage you to pursue your own adventure.
Thanks for looking — Tom Upton
Viewer Comments From Tom’s Hawaii Photography Website: http://www.bigislandview.com:
Meg
“Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photography. I, like you, get mesmerized by the movement and power of water. I can’t tell you how many images I have of water crashing over lava rock on Hawai’i Island. I love everything about Hawai’i. I’ve been all over this island, but you have shown me a few places to visit that are new to me. Bless you, fellow photographer!”
Tony
“I love Tom Upton’s photographs. He is a true artist and his selection of subjects and landscapes truly capture the natural beauty of the Islands I am very pleased with my purchase and cant wait to add more to my collection.”
Karen
“Your website is incredibly well put together!! Of course the exquisite photographs. I love the way you put them in the categories that are so easy to access, and so inviting and so easy to navigate. Your work is sooo impressive and beautiful some of the photographs are just so breathtaking and some of them look like a cinematographer took shots for a movie. Expert locations just amazing. I had no idea that the island had so many varieties of terrain. Impressively stunning work!”
Michael
“My mind is totally blown! This is where I live!”
Susan
“This is truly beautiful photography! You capture the raw and dramatic landscape of the big Big Island to perfection.”
Tracy
“I find your photos inspirational! I have taken notes on places to try to find and hikes to take. We leave to meet our friends for a Big Island vacation”
Marc
“Your photos are awesome.”
Bill
“I greatly admire your photographs. I was born and raised in the Islands and graduated from HPA in Kamuela. My wife and I are returning to the Big Island… I am a modestly serious amateur photographer, and I hoping to photograph in Waipio Valley where I spent a great deal of time in the early 1960s taking photographs”
See My Work At:
http://www.thomasuptongalleries.com
http://www.thomasuptonphotography.com
Isaacs Gallery (Kamuela, Hawaii)
Mauna Lani Auberge Hotel (Kamuela, Hawaii)
http://www.landscapephotographymagazine.com
1x.com
@thuptonsphotos (Instagram)
@BigIslandImages (Facebook)
Fine art landscape photography from Hawaii, with emphasis on the Big Island (where I live)
Travel photographs and commentary from recent trips (I prefer posting here vs Instagram or Facebook)
This website, an everchanging collection of my best photos from around the world
Fine art gallery on Hawaii Island
Prints and photo cards
Curated, high quality landscape photography. A number of my photos have been featured and awarded
One of the most highly curated photo websites, accepting only a small percentage of submissions. I have several awarded photos there
Periodic postings from travels
I’m not terribly active on Facebook, but maintain some postings there